"The blues made me learn that I don´t need anyone or anything in the world to feel good about myself."

Molina González: Alhambra's Blues

Molina González aka Francisco Molina (formerly known as Paco Duane), is a Spanish blues roots musician, born in Ciudad Real, whose musical career has been linked to Granada for over ten years. He has been part of many projects, both pop music, rock, folk, and blues, also sharing the stage with artists as diverse as Sex Museum, California Honeydrops, Fleshtones, Fletcher Kirk and many others. His passion for traditional American folk traditions took him as many years, to focus on this style and research the genre with enough passion, studying artists as Blind Blake, Bukka White, Hank Williams, Malcolm Holcombe, Hayes Carll, Charlie Parr, etc... Their repertoire focuses on topics such as bluesman that few remember, and try to continue to transmit the legacy left to never die. Acoustic, resonator, harmonica and a nasal voice is accompanying elements to make you back hundreds of years ago.

He recorded with harmonica player Alfredoom two albums Los Angeles Sessions I & II. In 2012 he moved to Berlin, where he performed numerous concerts, and solo. Last years, back to Spain continue to carry the blues where you leave with Sound of Roots, which includes its own theme, which will be included on an upcoming album waiting to be released. Molina was a musician where played in documentary Granada Blues.

Interview by Michael Limnios

When was the first time you felt the need to play the blues?

I really don't know. When I was a teenager, most of my time I spent alone, and I liked watching musicians’ videos, and always bluesman captured my attention. Maybe it was one of those days.

How do you describe Molina’s sound and what characterize your music philosophy?

My sound is pretty country blues of 20´s and earlier 30´s. I prefer the sound when the blues was done in small towns that he passed to the big cities. I only intend to play old blues, the kind that was played in the porch.

What experiences in your life make you a good blues musician and songwriter?

I don´t know if I'm a good bluesman, but I know that I dedicate myself to investigate this music. I always play popular songs, I have no own songs.

"Too many people the only thing that they want is to be famous. In the past it was different...many people say that they love playing guitar, and are not able to play three hours straight at home!!"

What do you learn about yourself from the Blues? How does the music help re-discover yourself?

The blues made me learn that I don´t need anyone or anything in the world to feel good about myself.

What’s the best jam you ever played in? What are some of the most memorable gigs you've had?

I don't like the jams. The best performances I've had have been when I've been playing in the Berlin subway. When you play at -20 degrees, because you need money to pay the rent you really feel the blues, trust me!

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What is the best advice ever given you?

Like I said, playing in the subway for 9 months has been very important for me. I do not remember any special advice, but …"I only do that I like", this is my personal advice.

Are there any memories from recording and show time which you’d like to share with us?

I usually record so fast, all recorded was made with friends, and I usually do the first shot and only takes us an hour or so.

"I think the blues is still popular because it is part of the history of people."

What's been your experience from the documentary Granada Blues? Which memory makes you smile?

It was an honor to count with me to this documentary…all I remembered is nice!!!

Why are Europeans so enamored with the blues? Do you believe in the existence of real blues nowadays?

I think there are people who like the blues in everywhere, not especially in Europe. Every day you can feel the blues!!

What mistakes would you wish to correct?

You can learn of all mistakes.

What do you miss most nowadays from the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of music?

Too many people the only thing that they want is to be famous. In the past it was different...many people say that they love playing guitar, and are not able to play three hours straight at home!!

Why did you think that the Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following?

I think the blues is still popular because it is part of the history of people.

Do you know why the sound of resophonic and slide is connected to the blues? What are the secrets of?

The resonator guitar has a very important role, because was established to amplify the sound, still not exits amplifiers, and came into use because the sound was higher … and the slide has always been used as the voice imitator.

For me the resophonic and the slide it's the sound of blues!!

"I think there are people who like the blues in everywhere, not especially in Europe. Every day you can feel the blues!!"

What are the lines that connect the legacy of Blues with Rock and continue to Flamenco and Gypsy Swing?

Human histories unite all.

Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really wanna go for a whole day..?

I'd be in the same corner where Charlie Patton were playing, or maybe reverend Rev. Gary Davis, ...or Son House, or Blind Boy Fuller, or Blind Willie Johnson, etc….only play (or just listened) for five minutes with one of this guys.